Opening Shots [First-time handgun buyer shares her experience]

CCI ^ | 5 August 2021 | Krissie Mason

[COBOL2Java]

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My first experience with a handgun was firing my dad’s Smith & Wesson 45 ACP M1917 U.S. Army service revolver. I was a young girl in a sporting family growing up on a hobby farm in central Minnesota. Even so, when I decided to purchase my first handgun I was intimidated. Not only can the perceived legal process be daunting, so can winnowing through the colossal assortment of styles and calibers to find the perfect fit.

As a child of the 1960s and 1970s, I grew up watching shows like “Bonanza,” “Gunsmoke,” and “The Wild, Wild, West,” perched on the arm of my grandfather’s chair as smoke swirled round our heads from his Prince Albert stuffed meerschaum pipe. So, this past year when I decided to purchase my first handgun, I knew I wanted a single-action revolver. After buying one, a Ruger Single Six Convertible, I quickly bought another, a Ruger Bearcat—both 22 caliber rimfire.

As a first-time buyer, I followed a few steps that helped demystify the process and the purchases.

One: Connect With The Pros

First and foremost, I connected with a local full-service gun shop and range, and with my local police department for a list of state requirements. Those two resources alone made the process less intimidating and helped me through my state’s paperwork.

Two: Define Your Need

The first question to ask is, “What’s my intended purpose for the firearm?” Are you looking for self-defense? Concealed carry? Plinking? There are many options out there in terms of manufacturers, styles, actions and more, so zeroing in on intended use is important. In my case, I own remote property and wanted a Western-style revolver for plinking and varmints, so I had already drawn a bead.

Three: Find Your Fit

Do some online homework. Research styles and manufacturers and connect with your local gun shop to find the right fit. Handle some firearms to see how they feel in your hand. I have small hands, so while I love my Ruger Single Six Convertible, the Bearcat fits me perfectly. Being able to shoot a firearm of the same make and model in advance of purchasing is helpful, too, but not essential. While you’re at it, try a couple different guns and calibers if possible.

Four: Listen To Opinions

If you can temper the following advice by remembering that everyone has an opinion, ask family and friends about their own choices. What did they buy? Which gun shop did they use? Why did they choose a particular gun? Along the way, you’ll likely encounter brand loyalists or design devotees, and die-hards who will argue for their favorite firearm above all others. Ultimately, the best handgun is the one you are most comfortable handling and firing. Period.

Five: Practice

Getting comfortable with your new firearm is important. Visit an indoor or outdoor range and practice loading and discharging your gun. Note how much pressure is needed on the trigger. Commit yourself to learning exactly how the hammer cocks and cylinder spins. The more you do it, the more at ease you’ll feel.

[Joe Boucher]

Sound advice.

[knarf]

basic common sense

[glimmerman70]

I like a 9mm but that’s just me.

[nuconvert]

I have a Sentinel Imperial .22 revolver & enjoy it.

[COBOL2Java]

I like a 9mm but that’s just me.

My 11-year old granddaughter's used to firing my .22's. I'll wean her to my 9mm's in a little while. The good thing is, she's getting trained and learning that plinking's fun.

[leaning conservative]

Bkmk/women/guns

[USS Alaska]

I was out shooting on Monday at my pals farm and went trough a coupla boxes of ammo.

Pistol practice from 25', which is always fun, blew away 100 plus rounds {thanks for ear protection}.

After 50+ years, I had to replace a scope on my old 30-30 and it still shoots very flat, a great gun when my grandkids were first hunting and all three got their first deer with that rifle.

My best shooter is a 30-06 bolt action and I put the first three in the bull and stopped after that {I could only go down hill and I was just testing the rifle}.

Even though the 30-06s are better shooters than the 30-30 I've taken the smaller gun out for the past 2 years because of less recoil.

I fell and dislocated my right shoulder 3 years ago and even though it seems OK, it can't take the kick like it used to.

We all know that if you own guns, you better keep practicing and know what you and they can do, together.

[USAF1985]

I’m torn between my 9mm and .40...they’re both great calibers.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

That’s why I have both! In better times, I used the 9mm for target shooting and the 40 for concealed carry. Now I can’t find reasonably priced FMJs for either.

[old curmudgeon]

The most fun to shoot?

.45 colt Blackhawk.

Best (for me) dark night CC flashlight or water bucket in one hand....Ruger GP 100

Both slicked up a little.

[JAKraig]

I like my 9mm’s but my first gun was not a nine. My first gun was procured in an unusual manner. At the time I was a supervisor of several people for Local government. One of my people had a drinking problem. One early evening I got a call from the police asking me questions about him. He was in his home with a gun threatening to kill himself. I raced to his house and found several police cars with cops standing around. They were devising a plan to go in and take his gun away from him and shooting him if need be because he had been threatening them. I started for the front door to go talk to him and they stopped me and said it was too dangerous. When they weren’t looking I went back and went in the house hollering at John. We had a good conversation about his troubles. I asked him where he got the little 25 caliper semiautomatic he had and he told me the story behind it. I told him I would really like to have a gun like that and offered him a hundred dollars for it. He immediately thought that was a good deal for him and agreed. We walked out the front door with a bunch of cops aiming their guns at us and I explained that he didn’t have the gun anymore. And that is how I got my first gun.

I still have that little 25 and it is fun but in my opinion dangerous, the trigger is very sensitive, all my other pistols are double action only, I hate single action. I think that is how so may cops end up shooting unarmed people.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Great. Now I NEED a .22 revolver, LOL!

Good article. Makes perfect sense. The first .22 rifle I purchased was through a very knowledgeable friend who showed me the ropes. My little .22 that I keep in the nightstand was inherited from my Dad. My .22 Browning was bought by Beau as a gift to me, and with his assistance.

I can testify to ‘trying on’ a lot of handguns to find that perfect fit. :)

[COBOL2Java]

My favorite gun is my 6-inch Ruger GP100.

I call it "The tank". It shoots .357 Magnum just fine.

[Georgia Girl 2]

I’ve got a Ruger .9mm but I feel more comfortable with my Ruger SR .22. Both good guns.

[No.6]

Getting better. https://ammoseek.com/ammo/9mm-luger shows currently touching $15/box.

For a while I was getting good prices direct from federalpremium.com — they’ve inched prices up rather than down lately.

[Bulwyf]

Nice choice. That and 1911 are the way to go.

[MNnice]

Very well written.

[larrytown]

Admirable choices for 22 pistols. And who could resist a Bearcat once they’ve picked one up?

[T-Bird45]

It appears the author doesn’t live in a free state and was required to involve the local constabulary in what should be a normal exchange of business. If the chosen firearms outlet could not provide the information necessary for her to feel comfortable with the process, she needed to move on to another establishment. Since it seems there are special state requirements, the gun shop deals with those on every sale and should have been able to guide her accordingly without a special inquiry at the cop shop by her. JMO - I guess her “inner Karen” could not be satisfied without seeking further approval.